Affordable Exotics: Jaguar

Four-wheel disc brakes were optional on the XK-150 and in 1958 the famed Jag engine was bored out to 3.8 liters as an option. There were three body styles. The roadster had a top that had to be disassembled for storage, the convertible had a fold-back top, and the coupe wore a fixed metal roof.


The coupe is now the biggest bargain, with clean examples selling in the $25,000 range. The roadsters and convertibles start at $40,000, and the rare and desirable 3.8-liter engine bumps the value about $10,000 in any model. The XK-150 is just starting to catch on with collectors and should be a good investment down the road.

XKE Series II (1968-1970)
When the XKE Series I came out in 1961, it was immediately proclaimed a classic. It was the best-looking shape on the road, Ferraris included. And it was quick, with 265 hp and a top speed of 150 mph.


Today, a mint Series I convertible sells in the $80,000 range, with the coupes about $20,000 less. But the biggest bargain in XKEs is the under-appreciated Series II model that came out in 1968. Due to tightening smog and safety regulations, the Jag engine slipped from 265 to 245 hp (with only two carbs instead of three), the lovely covered headlights popped out into the open, the taillights were crudely chopped under the rear bumper and the knock-off wire wheels lost their "ears."


Inside, the toggle switches on the dash gave way to rocker switches. It was a backward step for both looks and performance, so today an average Series II roadster sells in the $20,000-range and the coupes for a bit less. Many owners have upgraded their S-II cars with S-I hoods, knock-off spinners and carburetors, which corrects most of the problems but detracts from originality. Don't pay extra for upgraded cars, although if you aren't a purist they can be a bargain.